How to Access Sources of History: Museums in Nigeria for JSS 1

Class: Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1)
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 12
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: Meaning of History
Topic: How to Access Sources of History
Subject Matter: Museum, meaning of museum, various museums in Nigeria

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define a museum.
• State the importance of museums as sources of history.
• Identify at least three museums in Nigeria.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the role of museums in preserving Nigerian history and culture.
• Show interest in visiting museums to learn about the past.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate some Nigerian museums on a map.
• Describe some artifacts that can be found in a museum.

Social Domain

• Participate in discussions about the historical significance of museum exhibits.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum.
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work.
• An approved Junior Secondary textbook for the subject.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Pictures of various museums in Nigeria.
• Charts showing examples of artifacts found in museums.
• A map of Nigeria indicating locations of major museums.
• Textbook, relevant pictures and video clips.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps students understand how historical information is preserved and made accessible to the public. Learning about museums teaches them the importance of physical evidence in studying history and encourages them to explore Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what history is and some general sources of historical information, such as oral traditions and written records.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

How to Access Sources of History: Museums in Nigeria

What is a Museum?

A museum is a building or institution that collects, preserves, studies, and displays objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural importance. These objects are called artifacts or exhibits. Museums serve as important sources of history because they keep physical evidence of past events, cultures, and ways of life.

Importance of Museums as Sources of History

Museums are very important for several reasons:

• Preservation: They protect valuable historical artifacts and artworks from damage or loss.
• Education: They educate the public, especially students, about history, culture, and science through exhibitions and programs.
• Research: They provide materials for historians, archaeologists, and other researchers to study and understand the past.
• Cultural Heritage: They showcase the rich cultural heritage of a people, helping to promote national identity and pride.
• Tourism: They attract tourists, both local and international, contributing to the economy.
• Inspiration: They inspire creativity and appreciation for art and history.

Various Museums in Nigeria

Nigeria has many museums that preserve and display its diverse history and culture. Some notable ones include:

• National Museum, Lagos: This is one of the oldest and most important museums in Nigeria. It houses a significant collection of Nigerian art, archaeological finds, and ethnographic exhibits, including famous Nok terracotta heads and Benin bronzes.
• National Museum, Benin City, Edo State: Located in the ancient city of Benin, this museum is famous for its collection of artifacts from the Benin Kingdom, particularly the exquisite Benin bronzes and ivory carvings.
• National Museum, Jos, Plateau State: Established in 1952, it is known for its extensive collection of Nok culture artifacts, pottery, and traditional architecture. It also has a zoo and a craft village.
• Gidan Makama Museum, Kano, Kano State: This museum is housed in a 15th-century palace, which was once the residence of the Kano Emirs. It displays traditional Hausa architecture, historical artifacts, and exhibits on the history of Kano.
• Oron Museum, Akwa Ibom State: This museum is known for its collection of ancestral figures (Ekpu) of the Oron people, as well as other ethnographic materials from the region.
• Esie Museum, Kwara State: This is the first museum established in Nigeria, dating back to 1945. It is famous for its collection of over a thousand soapstone figures (Ibeji), believed to represent ancestors.
• National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State: This museum focuses on Nigeria’s military history, particularly the Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War). It displays weapons, vehicles, and other artifacts from the war.

Suggested Lesson Video

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Visual Aids, Guided Discovery.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they learned about sources of history in the previous lesson. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking if anyone has ever visited a place where old things are kept for people to see.

Students’ Activity: Students respond to the teacher’s questions and share their experiences or ideas about places that keep old items.

Learning Point: Students recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the concept of museums.

Step 2: Explanation of Museum

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of a museum, using simple language and showing pictures of museum buildings and some artifacts. The teacher emphasizes that museums are places where history is preserved and displayed.

Students’ Activity: Students listen attentively, observe the pictures, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Students understand the definition of a museum.

Step 3: Discussion on Importance of Museums

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on why museums are important, guiding students to understand their roles in preservation, education, research, and cultural promotion. The teacher lists these points on the board.

Students’ Activity: Students contribute to the discussion, share their thoughts on the importance of preserving history, and copy notes from the board.

Learning Point: Students grasp the significance of museums as sources of historical knowledge.

Step 4: Identifying Nigerian Museums

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identifying/Locating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a map of Nigeria and pictures to show and name various museums in Nigeria, such as the National Museum Lagos, National Museum Benin, National Museum Jos, Gidan Makama Museum, etc. The teacher briefly describes what each museum is known for.

Students’ Activity: Students observe the map and pictures, identify the locations of the museums, and listen to the descriptions.

Learning Point: Students learn about specific museums in Nigeria and their locations.

Step 5: Reinforcement and Application

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Applying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students to imagine they are curators of a new museum. What kind of historical items would they collect and display from their local community? This encourages them to apply their understanding.

Students’ Activity: Students think about and suggest historical items from their community that could be displayed in a museum.

Learning Point: Students apply their knowledge to a practical scenario.

Step 6: Guided Practice

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guiding/Practicing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a quick oral quiz, asking students to name a museum and an artifact they might find there.

Students’ Activity: Students answer the oral quiz, reinforcing their recall of museum names and types of exhibits.

Learning Point: Students practice recalling key information from the lesson.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is a museum?
2. State two reasons why museums are important.
3. Name any three museums in Nigeria.
4. What kind of historical items can be found in a museum?

Students’ Activity: Students answer orally and in writing as appropriate.

Learning Point: Students demonstrate understanding and application of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Concluding

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating that museums are vital places for preserving and learning about our history and culture. The teacher encourages students to visit a museum if they have the opportunity.

Students’ Activity: Students listen to the summary and prepare for the next lesson.

Learning Point: Students consolidate their understanding of the topic.

Lesson Keywords

• Museum – A building where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are kept and displayed.
• Artifacts – Objects made or modified by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.
• Exhibits – Objects or collections of objects displayed in a museum or art gallery.
• Preservation – The act of keeping something in its original state or in good condition.
• Heritage – Something that is passed down from previous generations; tradition.

Differentiation

Support for weaker learners: Provide simpler definitions and focus on identifying just one or two major museums. Use more visual aids and allow them to work in pairs to discuss the importance of museums. The teacher can also provide a partially filled list of Nigerian museums for them to complete.

Extension for stronger learners: Challenge them to research a specific artifact found in a Nigerian museum and present a brief report to the class. They could also be asked to explain how a museum differs from a library or an archive.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have clear pictures of various Nigerian museums and some common artifacts (e.g., Nok terracotta, Benin bronzes, traditional masks). A map of Nigeria to point out museum locations will be very helpful. Emphasize that museums are not just old buildings but active centers for learning and cultural preservation. Encourage students to share any personal experiences of visiting museums. For the board summary, ensure the definitions are concise and easy for JSS 1 students to copy and remember. The suggested video can be used as an introduction or a concluding activity to reinforce learning, depending on time and classroom resources. Check for understanding by asking students to give examples of what they might see in a museum.